Total Recall - Movie Review

Movie Review

Total Recall is visually striking, a glimpse into a dystopic possible future we hope we never see, reminiscent of both Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Joss Whedon’s Firefly. A lot of thought went into designing this world, with it’s sweeping skyscrapers and intricate layers upon layers, showing the densely packed people. The melange of cultures is shown via signage and decor styles, subtle but present. Kudos to Production Designer Patrick Tatopoulos. Less thought appears to have gone into some of the science . . . .

This is not so much a remake of Paul Verhoeven’s 1990 film of the same name, rather it’s a re-imagining of the source material, drawing from the original Phillip K. Dick story “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale,” although some of the most memorable scenes of the older movie are given a nod. In many ways, the whole concept of Recall is peripheral to the film, as we see the larger world in bits and pieces while becoming acquainted with Quaid’s microcosm.

The film is tightly focused on the three major characters: Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell), Lori Quaid (Kate Beckinsale), and Melina (Jessica Biel). They did a lot of running around, and for all that-we barely get to know them. Beckinsale’s character, in particular, is very one-dimensional. The excellent supporting cast is given little to do, and is all but wasted. I particularly wanted to see more of John Cho as McClane, the man running the Rekall franchise that Quaid visits, and Bill Nighy as the leader of the resistance, Matthias. Both get very little screen time.

It was refreshing, however, to see not just one but two women kicking-ass and taking names-both very confident and not in the least bit afraid to get physical. This contrasted nicely with Farrell, whose role required him to be somewhat confused and less-than-assured in the early stages of the film.

Where the film shines is in the little details. The tiny ways that we can tell this is the future: glowing tattoos, the next step in cell phones, hover cars, and robotic cops. The well-designed, multi-layered sets, from Rekall itself to a robotics manufacturing facility to a complex system of elevators.

The chase scenes were thrilling, and fairly innovative. And (I never thought I’d say this!) too long. There are three distinct chase scenes that all drag on past the point where they should have gotten away, died, gotten captured. Instead, I found myself bored enough to check my watch.

It’s stunning, and in some ways fascinating, but I found myself wishing it had been shorter. A different edit might have produced a more interesting film-one with less action and more focus on the “Is this really happening?” aspect. That film I would have liked to see.

Elektra Hammond
Buzzy Mag Editor & Reviewer